*** The Official UCLA School of Dentistry Class of 2023 Interview/Acceptance Thread ***

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artist2022

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Last year's thread: ***The Official UCLA School of Dentistry Class of 2022 Interview/Acceptance Thread***

Hey guys! I know it's probably early for this but if you have any questions about applying to UCLA or about its program, post here! I'm an incoming D1, along with other students like KatawareDoki, burritoz, Krentist_72 and more! There are also rising D2s like californiway21, and rising D3s like changtw.

Good luck everyone!! 🙂

General Stats:
Class of 2022
Overall GPA: 3.80
Science GPA: 3.77
DAT: 23AA

Class of 2021
Overall GPA: 3.74
Science GPA: 3.70
DAT: 22AA, 22TS, 22PAT

Class of 2020
Overall GPA: 3.75
Science GPA: 3.73
DAT: 23AA, 23TS, 22PAT

General Info:
Prereqs: Info here. AP Credit accepted, but there are limitations on CC credit and no online classes are allowed. Not required at time of application, but must be complete by 6/30/2019-can't take any prereqs in the summer right before you start.
DAT: Must be taken before 12/31/2018, and if already taken, must be within a 3-year period (after 1/1/2016).
Class size: 88 seats
Grading system: P/F/H
Quarter System! Academic year is 3 10-week quarters plus 1 9-week summer (15 total sessions)
----> Here's our academic calendar in case you're wondering how a quarter system looks.
Research Intensive, about 70% of students specialize
Clinical starts Fall of D2
Graduate Housing available!
Can establish residency after 1 year (instate tuition)
Regarding the curriculum: Thank you to californiway21 for this: Anyone curious about the curriculum here at UCLA can browse this schedule below for each of the 4 years. There is typically a final for each class that is scheduled. UCLA Dentistry
Regarding interview prep: University of California Los Angeles School of Dentistry Interview Feedback
----> Be sure to give feedback on your interview to help future applicants! 🙂
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Last edited:
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Hi everyone, and thank you for making this thread! 🙂

I had a question on one of the supplementary essays. For the optional question "Please describe any additional information you would like the Committee to consider," is this somewhere where we talk about ourselves some more? Or is it a place to explain deficiencies in our app? I'm confused because it has a 2,000 char limit which seems like space for an entirely new essay, but there's already the required prompt "Describe the personal qualities/attributes that you believe will contribute to our institutional values."

Thank you for your time!
 
keirelle said:
Hi everyone, and thank you for making this thread! 🙂

I had a question on one of the supplementary essays. For the optional question "Please describe any additional information you would like the Committee to consider," is this somewhere where we talk about ourselves some more? Or is it a place to explain deficiencies in our app? I'm confused because it has a 2,000 char limit which seems like space for an entirely new essay, but there's already the required prompt "Describe the personal qualities/attributes that you believe will contribute to our institutional values."

Thank you for your time!
Click to expand...
I personally used that portion to explain deficiencies, like my slight drop in grades. That's pretty much the only thing I put, and I kept it pretty short-500 characters. Last year the question was slightly different: "Please describe any additional information you would like the Committee to consider or aspects of your application which you think may seem confusing or incomplete as they are stated elsewhere. You may also explain factors which may have had a negative effect on some aspect of your performance." Maybe this will help guide you a little in what should/shouldn't go into this question. Good luck!
 
@artist2022 AHH thank you so much for answering and replying so fast! Also I didn't realize it changed from last year - thanks for including that! 🙂
 
artist2022 said:
I personally used that portion to explain deficiencies, like my slight drop in grades. That's pretty much the only thing I put, and I kept it pretty short-500 characters. Last year the question was slightly different: "Please describe any additional information you would like the Committee to consider or aspects of your application which you think may seem confusing or incomplete as they are stated elsewhere. You may also explain factors which may have had a negative effect on some aspect of your performance." Maybe this will help guide you a little in what should/shouldn't go into this question. Good luck!
Click to expand...

Letting them know how you ALMOST got an A- in one of your classes??
 
keirelle said:
Hi everyone, and thank you for making this thread! 🙂

I had a question on one of the supplementary essays. For the optional question "Please describe any additional information you would like the Committee to consider," is this somewhere where we talk about ourselves some more? Or is it a place to explain deficiencies in our app? I'm confused because it has a 2,000 char limit which seems like space for an entirely new essay, but there's already the required prompt "Describe the personal qualities/attributes that you believe will contribute to our institutional values."

Thank you for your time!
Click to expand...

Someone else stated that they used this place to explain why they should pick you when there are so many other great applicants. I thought this was a great idea
 
I have some questions for current students to know more about the school. What are some unique aspects about UCLA's curriculum? or is there a big-brother/sister mentor program? Anything that makes you think UCLA different would help!
 
suede said:
I have some questions for current students to know more about the school. What are some unique aspects about UCLA's curriculum? or is there a big-brother/sister mentor program? Anything that makes you think UCLA different would help!
Click to expand...
This biggest thing for me is the pass/no pass curriculum. Most of our classes so far are 70% or 75% to pass which is nice considering the amount of classes we take each quarter. Another thing I like is if we fail the lab portion of a lab class, like direct restoration, but you pass the written final then you will get an in progress grade instead of a non-pass. This way you can take the re-do and turn the IP into a pass.

Yes, there is a big/little program. It is extremely helpful. Your big will give you advice on anything from an exam, to how to use different burs, to study techniques for the NBDE to giving you old study guides. There is a lot of help from the class of 2020 and I know c/o 2021 will be doing the same for c/o 2022.
 
californiway21 said:
This biggest thing for me is the pass/no pass curriculum. Most of our classes so far are 70% or 75% to pass which is nice considering the amount of classes we take each quarter. Another thing I like is if we fail the lab portion of a lab class, like direct restoration, but you pass the written final then you will get an in progress grade instead of a non-pass. This way you can take the re-do and turn the IP into a pass.

Yes, there is a big/little program. It is extremely helpful. Your big will give you advice on anything from an exam, to how to use different burs, to study techniques for the NBDE to giving you old study guides. There is a lot of help from the class of 2020 and I know c/o 2021 will be doing the same for c/o 2022.
Click to expand...

Can you comment on interviewees saying that overall, students at UCLA seem kinda depressed/stressed? I assume the stress is just super high because UCLA is such a renowned program, but the overarching gloomy feeling that I hear about the school is a little concerning
 
AN4TOMY said:
Can you comment on interviewees saying that overall, students at UCLA seem kinda depressed/stressed? I assume the stress is just super high because UCLA is such a renowned program, but the overarching gloomy feeling that I hear about the school is a little concerning
Click to expand...

Where did you hear or read this?
 
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FutureDentist97 said:
Where did you hear or read this?
Click to expand...

Here and there, from students and interviewees. It wouldn’t be hard to find the post if you just poked around a bit. I’m sure every person is different, but I just wanted to get a feeling about what the general mood is like there.
 
AN4TOMY said:
Can you comment on interviewees saying that overall, students at UCLA seem kinda depressed/stressed? I assume the stress is just super high because UCLA is such a renowned program, but the overarching gloomy feeling that I hear about the school is a little concerning
Click to expand...

I would say yes, we are definitely stressed. But I’m sure this is how it is at other dental school programs as well. I would say I’m usually the most stressed when midterms are coming up and the two weeks leading up to finals week and finals week. I’ve heard about the gloomy feeling also from my interview day, but I haven’t really seen it from our class yet or c/o 2020. You could walk into a class room at 8 am during week 9 and our entire class will be laughing and talking with each other as if it was orientation week. Everyone makes it through in the end and you’ll find those friends and de-stressers to help support you through the quarter.
 
californiway21 said:
I would say yes, we are definitely stressed. But I’m sure this is how it is at other dental school programs as well. I would say I’m usually the most stressed when midterms are coming up and the two weeks leading up to finals week and finals week. I’ve heard about the gloomy feeling also from my interview day, but I haven’t really seen it from our class yet or c/o 2020. You could walk into a class room at 8 am during week 9 and our entire class will be laughing and talking with each other as if it was orientation week. Everyone makes it through in the end and you’ll find those friends and de-stressers to help support you through the quarter.
Click to expand...
Thank you for sharing your experience 🙂
 
Did anyone else hear back from UCLA asking for secondary fees?
 
AN4TOMY said:
Someone else stated that they used this place to explain why they should pick you when there are so many other great applicants. I thought this was a great idea
Click to expand...

AHH sorry for the late reply--that's a great idea, thank you!!
 
My app was verified on 6/16, but still haven't heard back about the secondary fee. Was I supposed to do anything after submitting on ADEA? All my LORS, DAT score, etc were included when submitting on ADEA.
 
suede said:
My app was verified on 6/16, but still haven't heard back about the secondary fee. Was I supposed to do anything after submitting on ADEA? All my LORS, DAT score, etc were included when submitting on ADEA.
Click to expand...
Mine took 8 days and I submitted on the first day. My guess is that more apps piled up and they just havent gotten to your app yet to ask for the 2ary fee
 
  • What is the retention rate for all 4 years? Or what percentage of students graduate?
  • How approachable are professors in terms of getting research?
  • Current UCLA dental students, what do you like the most about the program?
  • What is the exam schedule like?
 
third time applying

20 aa
22 sciences
16 math
20 pat
3.3 science gpa
3.5 general gpa

any thoughts?
 
Applied and waiting for the secondary email🙂 I wasn't aware UCLA gives out in state status after 1 yr!!!!
 
californiway21 said:
Anyone curious about the curriculum here at UCLA can browse this schedule below for each of the 4 years. There is typically a final for each class that is scheduled.
Click to expand...

What is the exam schedule at UCLA like? Is there an exam every week or are the exams during the same week?
 
After paying the secondary fee, did anyone get an "application complete" email?
 
suede said:
After paying the secondary fee, did anyone get an "application complete" email?
Click to expand...
All I got was the receipt of payment email. That is the last that I heard from them.
 
Dentist To Be123 said:
What is the exam schedule at UCLA like? Is there an exam every week or are the exams during the same week?
Click to expand...
Definitely not an exam every week. Our pre-clinical lab classes have quizzes every week. For the incoming D1, you all will have weekly anatomy quizzes on the cadavers during anatomy lab. One person will be picked from your group at random, and then you get to take the quiz for the group. Sometimes there are only self-assessments we have to complete over each weekend that are graded. I’ve never had a class where we took an exam every week. Usually exams are during week 3/4 and then around week 8-10, then, of course, dreaded finals week. You will have times when you have more than one exam during a given week.
 
californiway21 said:
Definitely not an exam every week. Our pre-clinical lab classes have quizzes every week. For the incoming D1, you all will have weekly anatomy quizzes on the cadavers during anatomy lab. One person will be picked from your group at random, and then you get to take the quiz for the group. Sometimes there are only self-assessments we have to complete over each weekend that are graded. I’ve never had a class where we took an exam every week. Usually exams are during week 3/4 and then around week 8-10, then, of course, dreaded finals week. You will have times when you have more than one exam during a given week.
Click to expand...
OMG one person takes quiz FOR THE GROUP? if one person didn't study much, whole group get penalized for that? ;(
That is scary......
 
queenki said:
OMG one person takes quiz FOR THE GROUP? if one person didn't study much, whole group get penalized for that? ;(
That is scary......
Click to expand...

I’m assuming it’s a group quiz but one person is the recorder.
 
Any of you insiders have news on roughly when interviews should start being sent out??
 
I was wondering if anyone would like to give me feedback on the qualities question. I would like to submit this week but I've just been bad at writing these essays haha.
 
queenki said:
OMG one person takes quiz FOR THE GROUP? if one person didn't study much, whole group get penalized for that? ;(
That is scary......
Click to expand...
No, just the one person will be graded, but no one else in the group has to take the quiz. They just participate silently.
 
How OOS friendly is UCLA? I have a 4.0 GPA and 24AA/24TS/21PAT. But I am a Florida resident. I have looked at some stats and it didn't look like they were very OOS friendly. So I'm wondering if I should even bother applying. Also, am I too late if I decide to apply there? Any suggestions will be appreciated!
 
Traida said:
How OOS friendly is UCLA? I have a 4.0 GPA and 24AA/24TS/21PAT. But I am a Florida resident. I have looked at some stats and it didn't look like they were very OOS friendly. So I'm wondering if I should even bother applying. Also, am I too late if I decide to apply there? Any suggestions will be appreciated!
Click to expand...
They only interview about 2% of their OOS applicants (about ~800 applied and only 16 were interviewed in 2016, I believe). Of those that interviewed, almost everyone was offered a seat (15 of 16). Your stats are competitive, so it is up to you; it can be worth a shot but the earlier, the better because they are very picky about who they interview OOS. Good luck!
 
AN4TOMY said:
Have you heard any word on when they’ll start sending out interviews?
Click to expand...
No, I haven’t. However, they ask us to sign up and be part of the student panel during interviews. So when we get that email, I can let you know.
 
Traida said:
How OOS friendly is UCLA? I have a 4.0 GPA and 24AA/24TS/21PAT. But I am a Florida resident. I have looked at some stats and it didn't look like they were very OOS friendly. So I'm wondering if I should even bother applying. Also, am I too late if I decide to apply there? Any suggestions will be appreciated!
Click to expand...
If you are interested in coming here, I would definitely apply with those stats!! You’re GPA, AA, and TS are fantastic. No, you are not too late. Just get that app in ASAP and make it look great. DM me if you have any other questions.
 
Traida said:
How OOS friendly is UCLA? I have a 4.0 GPA and 24AA/24TS/21PAT. But I am a Florida resident. I have looked at some stats and it didn't look like they were very OOS friendly. So I'm wondering if I should even bother applying. Also, am I too late if I decide to apply there? Any suggestions will be appreciated!
Click to expand...
I’m an OOS student from last application cycle. UCLA is not OOS friendly but I’ll say it’s definitely worth trying to apply here and take the interview. I was interviewed in Feb which was my last admission offer. But finally I decided to choose here and declined other offers and scholarships. If you like the weather, specialty rate, grading system, affordable tuition or Lebron James. Why not try it?
 
Is it too late to apply. I’ve honestly just been struggling with the secondary question and I’m just trying to make it special. I think I should be done within a day or two but since I’m OOS I feel like I’m late.
 
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